Mesu Andrews says her philosphy of writing Biblical fiction is: 1) Biblical accounts and Scripture to build the foundation, 2) Historical facts the support the truth of God's Word, and 3) creative fiction to hold the historical fact and Biblical truth together. This is so obvious in this wonderful tale of Daniel. The story is so well-fashioned that it seamlessly weaves all 3 components together to place me right in the middle of Daniel's life and the time period and evil that existed during the 70 year Jewish exile to Babylon.

I felt the frustrations and weariness that Daniel felt in dealing with the kings and royal court while, at the same time, staying true to his Hebrew beliefs. The stress and pressure had to have been overwhelming, yet Daniel never lost faith. The Bible doesn't tell us whether or not Daniel was married, Andrews' story created a plausible marriage and family that could have been true. I especially appreciated Andrews' concluding notes that gave explanation of the choices that she made in choosing points within the story that were best supported by Scripture and history.

An excellent Biblical read that made my 2019 favorites list and which I would highly recommend to readers of Biblical fiction.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Waterbrook through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

Title: Of Fire and Lions
Author: Mesu Andrews
Genre: Christian fiction, historical
Rating: 5 out of 5

Abigail is just a girl when the Babylonians destroy Jerusalem—and the temple. Abigail is taken captive and finds herself serving four Hebrew boys destined to become powerful princes in Babylon, including the kind and caring Daniel. Abigail falls in love with Daniel, but the king’s machinations keep them apart, and soon Abigail finds herself lost in another city, with nowhere to turn.

Seventy years later, Daniel and Abigail have been married for years and have children and grandchildren when Daniel is once again called to serve the new king. Abigail’s family is full of anger and malice, but she’s kept secrets about her early years, secrets that might tear Daniel from her for good, and secrets that might have a chance of mending the rift in her family. But she will have to overcome her fear with faith if she’s ever to know true fulfillment.

Of Fire and Lions is a richly imagined tale that brings Biblical stories to life. Daniel and the lions’ dent. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the fiery furnace. The exile of the Hebrews. These things come to mesmerizing life on the page. And Abigail—Belili—and Daniel come to life as well: their struggles, their trials, and their faith drawing the reader in. This is an exceptionally detailed and vivid re-telling of some familiar Bible tales, but with so much life added to the story.

Mesu Andrews writes biblical fiction. Of Fire and Lions is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of WaterBrook via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.)

Of Fire and Lions is historical fiction at its finest. Mesu Andrews does a marvelous job of telling the story of a young woman who first is depicted as a Hebrew captive, finds herself an idol worshiper, and ends up the beloved wife of the prophet Daniel. Taking Biblical history and fleshing out the story, the author brings readers a thoroughly captivating read. With descriptive prose that makes the reader feel like you are right there in the scenes and realistic dialogue, the author expertly portrays the struggles and the depth of emotions of the characters and brings clarification to some of the convoluted political alliances and tells of the Babylonian captivity of the Hebrews. The development of the characters throughout the story is strong, especially Abigail as she struggles to know who she is. Was she Belili, the woman who had won the love of the Medes' chief magus or was she still Abigail, a Hebrew captive who served Yahweh only? Could her family forgive her for her secrets and lies? Would Yahweh someday include her again in His watchful care? I enjoyed the portrayal of the prophet Daniel throughout the story, not just seeing him as a man who was continually faithful to Yahweh but as a husband and father as well. He knew God was good and nothing would make him deny the One True God. With the portrayal of warfare and subsequent captivity, and corrupt kings and their thoughtless rulings, this is not a light read but it is a story that portrays a sovereign God, the LORD God Most High, who alone holds all kingdoms in His hands. It is a story of sorting out fears and failures and extending and receiving forgiveness for the same. A story of the strengthening of one's faith as one learns the truth of Yahweh's love in the midst of hardship and despair, of seeing His working of miracles in impossible situations. Lovers of Biblical historical fiction will not want to miss Of Fire and Lions.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Waterbrook Publishers and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.
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Several years ago, I read Miriam, by Mesu Andrews. When I saw Of Fire and Lions, by her, recently, I was cautiously interested. Biblical fiction can be good—but I'm always leery about adding too much to what we know about Bible characters. On the other hand, she had done a good enough job with the other book that I wanted to read this one.
This book switches back and forth between two points of view. Belili, the main character, tells her story in first person; in between her stories, we get to read Daniel's point of view, in third person. This change in voice made it easy to keep track of whose story I was reading.
Abigail was among the captives taken to Babylon during the first captivity, when Daniel and his three friends were also taken. She was assigned to be their servant on the long trip—but then she was made into a temple servant. Just in time to save her from a lifetime of bondage in the temple, Daniel pulled strings and she became his handmaid—but soon after he started talking about marrying her, she had to flee for her life to a far-off city.
The worst part of Belili's life, as she was now called, began in Achmetha. She managed to claw her way up to the position of high priestess, and then married a high official. My question, through a large portion of the book, was how in the world did she end up back with Daniel, as I learned in the first couple of chapters. It took awhile, but was an amazing journey to discover the answer.
As you read this book, you will be treated to “first-hand” accounts of each of the first six chapters of the book of Daniel. The section which dealt with Nebuchadnezzar's insanity was the pivotal part of the book, and the one I had the most issues with. This book makes it out that the seven years of insanity were kept a secret until long after Nebuchadnezzar died. However, if you read Daniel chapter 4, the king himself seems to have written a letter to his realm describing what happened. To me, it felt like the author took just a little too much liberty with Scripture here.
The main theme of the book is honesty. Because Belili was not willing to be honest with Daniel and with her children about her pst life, she experienced the very thing she was afraid of: The rejection of her family. Once she and Daniel were able to be honest and share their past failures, healing could happen—but what would they have to go through before reaching that point?
WARNING: It is mentioned a few times that men came to Belili's bed, when she was high priestess of Mithra.

This book is a page turner and if you are fan of biblical history you'll have a hard time putting the book down. This tale of the rise and fall of the Babylonian empire will enthrall readers as the characters of Daniel and Abigail come of life with all their human frailties.
When the young girl Abigail known as Belili is taken captive with the young princes from Babylon she becomes a handmaiden to Daniel. Beset in her new life with choices that are ugly in many ways she falls from the path that she has set herself and uses her native intelligence and skills to survive in an ugly world. Daniel on the other hand remain pure and steadfast in his beliefs that sustain him to the very end. Their paths part and then come together and yet Belili even as she becomes the matriarch of a large family keeps her secrets close to heart.
Life as we well know often has a way of exposing secrets and testing a person's faith. As Daniel and Abigail confront secrets from their past and face the tests of fire and lions the bible comes alive.
The author has done a phenomenal job of painting history in a way that is fascinating and exhilarating. This is the first that I've read from the author but no doubt this book has just whetted my appetite for more.

Everyone has a favorite author, one they gravitate to, and one whose new books they eagerly await. I first came across Mesu Andrews’ in 2013 with her third novel, Love in a Broken Vessel. I’ve read every one of her books since then and, yes, I do look forward to each new piece of Biblical fiction she writes. It’s always a blessing to be admitted to her street team, and one I never take for granted. That’s how I got an Uncorrected Proof for review.

I’m also a bit of a tough reviewer. I have one piece of criteria for a five-star review: the book must leave me with tears in my eyes. I might really, really enjoy a book, but if it doesn’t cause tears it doesn’t get that fifth star. I strongly believe in the power of emotion and sometimes I’ve been surprised by my emotional response. After finishing the final page of this book, I can say that Of Fire and Lions is a five-star read.

I’m sure there will be some readers who object to the thought of fifteen year olds having intimate relations, and to the amount of violence in the book. But we must always consider the context. In this time period, people didn’t live as long. Children grew up quicker and became adults much earlier than they do now. One reason for early death was the constant military campaigns. This story of Daniel and Belili’s life starts with the invasion of Jerusalem. They endure forced exile, pagan customs, and political infighting between power-hungry leaders, and outlived kings and kingdoms. As I read, I thought about how I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere close to a royal court. There are examples of entire families being made to pay the ultimate price for one person’s actions.

What else is in this novel besides the above? Many will recognize the events after which the book is named. The main characters are witnesses to their Hebrew friends coming through the fiery furnace, and the lion’s den experience comes near the end. Daniel’s interpretation of dreams is a must in any story about him, and they’re included here. We also get Nebuchadnezzar (also sometimes historically referred to as Nebuchadrezzar) being turned into a wild animal. Mesu Andrews also gives us an in-depth look at life in the city of Babylon and the customs of both the Hebrew and Babylonian communities. One aspect I found interesting was Mesu’s choice of perspectives: Belili’s is written in the first person, while Daniel’s is in the third. She has also chosen to skip back and forth in time. The “present” time is when Daniel and Belili are old, while the other half of the narrative starts with exile and gradually moves forward in time.

So, yes, to conclude: Mesu Andrews has written another amazing story based on the contents of the Bible. Of Fire and Lions has caused me to look again at the Old Testament, just as her previous books have, and has helped me understand better a section of it. It was enjoyable enough that I had a hard time putting it down. And yes, it was emotionally powerful enough to cause my eyes to leak when I finished reading!

Thank you to Waterbrook and the author for my complimentary Uncorrected Proof of Of Fire and Lions.

Mesu Andrews NEVER disappoints. "Of Fire and Lions" is no exception! This story of Daniel's wife, Abigail, their family and her journey by Daniel's side throughout the years is engrossing. Mesu does a great job of researching and bringing Scripture to life. Every time I read her work, I am drawn back to the Bible to read the Scripture her books are based on. The fleshing out of these biblical men and women facing often overwhelming odds leaves me caught up in the story, curious to know how the multiple connections will be drawn together.

Within the story, there are messages of love, grace and second chances. Each character goes on a journey of struggle, joy, pain, acceptance and repentance. God works in every circumstance, even though the characters might not realize it until years later.

"Of Fire and Lions" is a book that begins with the biblical stories we know then takes the characters far deeper than I expected. Having read her previous books, I know Mesu works very hard to keep her writing as close to what could/would have actually happened within the culture of Scriptural times. I love feeling like I have learned more of the people behind the stories from the Bible...perhaps God has given Mesu insight that we would all wish to have. You can't help but root for these every day people, given such big tasks to wade through, all while being faithful to Yahweh in a culture that asks them to be unfaithful to Him.

I believe that any book we read that causes us to take time for self-reflection and that provides reminders of the hope we have in Christ is worth reading. I truly enjoyed being an early reader and am thankful I was able to preview "Of Fire and Lions," thanks to #NetGalley and Waterbrook Multnomah. All opinions are my own.

Biblical fiction is my most favorite genre, and Mesu is one of my most favorite authors. I have read a number of Mesu’s works, and have loved every single one. She is such a stellar writer, and her research is impeccably done. But what I love the most about Mesu’s books is that she is so willing to tackle the hard stories of the Bible. She does so honestly, respectfully, realistically, and in a manner that proves she really has a BIG heart for Jesus. Of Fire and Lions is a superb novel that deftly illustrates life during the Babylonian exile. I admit to being totally mesmerized and slightly terrified the entire time I was reading. And, best of all, this novel had me doing a bit of soul searching — exactly what a Biblical novel should do!

When I read the Bible, I’m always inspired by and in awe of God’s chosen people. The Bible is filled with men and women who are fantastic examples of grit, strength, zeal for God, and a steadfastness that seems unshakable. I’m encouraged by characters like Joseph, Moses, Esther, and Daniel. I attempt to glean from their stories ways I can be a better christian, but I do have to admit that many times I feel I could never measure up. I think about what I would do or say if I was in Joseph’s, Moses’s, Esther’s, or Daniel’s sandals, and I’m afraid I wouldn’t be as brave and courageous as they were. Daniel has always been, to me, one of the most intimidating figures in the Bible. He goes through terrifying ordeals, yet he never seems to waiver. He appears to be perfect in his trust and faith in Yahweh. Is this the truth though? Did he really never question or fear? Did he never get frustrated or angry at God?

One of the reasons I LOVE Of Fire and Lions is because Mesu made Daniel real. In this novel, he does have moments of confusion, insecurities, doubt, and fear. Yeah, he’s Daniel and his faith is unwavering, but in this story I see a man who feels things the way I might feel if I were taken captive into an unknown land by a brutal and cruel man. Daniel’s thoughts and questions resemble thoughts and questions I had when I went through scary times myself. And, the way Mesu envisions how Daniel feels when he’s taken to the lion’s den — the terror one feels when facing a brutally scary unknown — was like looking in the mirror. I don’t ever want someone to feel so frightened by fear they’re almost paralyzed, but it is nice to know I’m not the only one on this earth who struggles with fear. I really appreciated seeing Daniel as a man with normal feelings, thoughts, and insecurities instead of the seemingly perfect prophet one sees in the Bible.

I highlighted and made notes on half of this book. So many topics and ideas resonated with me, but there is one question that Daniel poses to his child that struck me hard. At one point, when discussing the return of a remnant to Jerusalem, Daniel asks his daughter, “Can you give up your comfortable routine to live in the tension of God’s uncharted plan?” What a FABULOUS question! I finished reading this novel over 24 hours ago, but I’m still fretting over this question. I would LOVE to say, “Yes!”, but I’m not sure I can and that scares me a little. Not being able to immediately say yes to this question means I have some idols in my life, and that shames me a bit. I can’t say, as I sit her typing this post, that I am fully resolved on this issue, but I very much appreciate that Mesu’s novel allowed for such self-reflection. This is definitely something I am going to have to work on and talk to Jesus about for some time.

Of Fire and Lions is an amazing novel. There is SO much more I could talk about, but I don’t want to spoil a thing. Suffice to say, I really appreciate the new insight I gained into the life of one of the coolest humans in the Bible. And, being able to self-reflect as I did makes this novel a Biblical fiction gem. I highly, highly recommend this stellar novel.

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook and paperback form from the author via her publisher, WaterBrook. The eBook was supplied via NetGalley. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This book drew me in and held my attention from beginning to end. I enjoyed reading this fictional account of the prophet Daniel's life. Looking forward to reading more by this author. I was fortunate to receive this novel from Netgalley as an Advance Reader Copy, in exchange for an objective review.

While I like historical fiction, I read stories with Biblical characters with a critical eye. I wasn’t sure what I would expect in this story of Daniel—especially when I found out he had a wife. I have always interpreted the Biblical Daniel (and the other captives) as being eunuchs. The author explained her stance (and Biblical backing) for Daniel’s marriage at the end of the book. It makes sense.

I liked this book. The author did a good job bringing this time period to life. I especially liked the story of Abigail/Belili. My heart ached for her as she was ripped away from “safety” in Jerusalem and had to survive as a captive. Not only did she have to survive, but she also had to struggle with her faith.

I started this book ready to quit if anything stood out to me as going against what I knew about this story from the Bible. Not only was there nothing to make me stop, the book sucked me in and I found myself wrapped up in the story and the lives of the characters. It was good!

I follow the GoodReads rating system. Please note that this means even the 3-star books are ones I liked.
1 star – didn’t like it
2 stars – it was OK
3 stars – liked it
4 stars – really liked it
5 stars – it was amazing; I’ll read it over and over and/or it will impact my daily life.

If you love Biblical fiction, this is the must-read of must-reads. Even if you don’t consider yourself a fan of Biblical fiction, I would strongly recommend reading this book because it is an utterly magnificent read. For starters, what regular Sunday school attendee cannot recall being enthralled by the stories of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo in the fiery furnace or Daniel in the lion’s den? You can multiply that enthrallment by ten when these events play out in this book. And yet the well-known Biblical stories associated with Daniel are only a part of what made this such a memorable read.

At its emotional heart, this is the story of Daniel’s (fictional) wife, Belili. (In her historical notes, the author explains the research that led her to conclude that Daniel may not have been a eunuch in the way many have assumed.) And it was a gripping read not only because of the story it told but also because of the way it unfolded.

The reader is introduced to Daniel and Belili in the later stage of their lives, on the night of Belshazzar’s feast—a night when everything is about to change for them and for Babylon. Surrounded as they are by children, grand-children, and great-grandchildren, it’s clear there is family tension, and as Cyrus’s forces take over Babylon, it’s clear that a whole lot of secrets from Belili’s past are about to come to light.

From there, the reader is taken all the way back to the day when eleven-year-old Abigail (Belili’s Hebrew name) is taken as a captive to Babylon and meets Daniel and his three friends. Already having met Daniel and Belili at a much later point in their lives heightened the anticipation and the tension as their story unfolded along an unexpected path, but also gave a measure of reassurance that made the tension a little easier to bear—a very little! As the story progressed, the back and forth between the “present day” and the past was perfectly timed for maximum story impact.

Through it all, the reader follows the story of a woman who struggles to hold on to faith in a God who seems to have turned His back on her. It is a story of reconciliation, restoration, and redemption, and a powerful reminder that God works His sovereign purpose in everything. Whatever you do, don’t pass up an opportunity to read this book!

Taken from her home in Jerusalem as a 9-year-old child, Abigail serves the four Hebrew princes, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. When Daniel becomes Belteshazzar, and the other three become Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, she continues to act as their servant, cleaning and bringing meals to "the boys." By the time she is 10, she comes under the Babylonian king's scrutiny, because the king feels Daniel is too invested in the beautiful slave girl.

Stolen away from her boys, Abigail is basically cast adrift on the streets of Babylon, where her beauty becomes her curse. Hiding and stealing food for survival only lasts so long. When she is found nearly dead from starvation in a back alley, she is taken to the temple of Mithra and nursed back to health. To pay back her captors for their care, she becomes a temple slave, which doesn't seem bad. She'd been helping her mother clean the palace for years. This wasn't so different, until one day, a greedy temple priest sells her innocence to a high ranking official for 50 shekels. After that, she becomes Belili, and attains the rank of high priestess of Mithra, leaving her memories of Yahweh's provision for her in the past. After all, He didn't save her from her darkest hour. Why would she continue to revere Him?

Daniel never forgot little Abigail. She was his first love, and even though he married later, he never fully gave his heart again. He has worked his way to being one of King Nebuchadnezzar's top advisors, interpreting the king's dreams, and worshiping Yahweh. When the king's proclamation gets his three best friends thrown into a fiery furnace, God's power reaches out to save them, and confirms everything Daniel has always believed. When he realizes that his Abigail is also in attendance, and witnessed this miracle, he is equally stunned to find her married to a Babylonian official, and that she now goes by the name, Belili.

What happens when a plague takes both of their spouses, leaving Belili with a son to care for and no income? Daniel for his part, must have a spouse to continue to serve the king, and he can think of none better than Belili. Their love-match ignites both of their hearts, but will her secrets destroy Daniel's faith?

Wow! This is biblical fiction at its finest! I was so invested in Belili and her life, and could definitely see how her faith would have taken a serious hit in her early years. Daniel's life seemed easier in many ways, although he, too, was essentially a slave. The wisdom he gained through his worship of the one true God, became a tool to bring the nation of Israel out of bondage. Mesu Andrews ties many biblical stories into Of Fire and Lions, all of which I'd heard before, but I really never put them together as happening at the same time. And, let me just say, the "Daniel in the Lion's Den" part of the story is excellent!!

I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction. This book made the Bible stories come to life for me, and that is the BEST kind of fiction, as far as I'm concerned!

Taken captive by the Babylonians, Abigail, fights to survive using her wit and charm to survive in Nebuchadnezzar's court, denying her Hebrew heritage and taking the name Belili.



Now many years later she is married to Daniel, and mother to four daughters who resent her, everything changes when Daniel is called to interpret mysterious writing on the wall. What will the reign of Median King Darius mean for Belili and Daniel?



Told for the most part through Belili's eyes the story weaves itself forward and back through the years, winding its way and picking up threads and binding them together in various decades as the story unfolds. Well researched and lush in detail, Mesu Andrews brings this story to life with her realistic imagining of life in the courts of Babylon, the pressure to conform and fit in.





Behili tells her tale in a decade jumping narrative that works well with this story, keeping many secrets until they are revealed in their due time. Belili is strong and clever, she makes the most of her situations and I was touched by her journey. She is a wonderful heroine, vulnerable and flawed, yet in that way so much more relatable.



I loved Mert, their Egyptian servant and friend, who tells it like it is, and helps Belili mend what is broken.



I loved how this story came together, and it is probably my favorite from Mesu Andrews. The suspense, and truly miraculous way that God used Daniel, preserving him to reveal His glory, is excellently done. Before reading this book I never thought how amazing it was that God prospered Daniel in the courts of many different kings, from the Babylonian to the Median empires. The author handles tough topics well, and takes Scripture very seriously, fictionally filling in where we can only guess what might have happened and how it came to be. A powerful and inspiring read about courage in the face of persecution and daring to be a Daniel.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

Mesu Andrews brings the book of Daniel to life in this exciting tale. Not content to have her characters molded perfectly, without flaw, for her readers to wish they could emulate, she carves them out of flesh and blood and makes them fully human. She took the Biblical account and made it come to life for me more than than it has in the past as I considered even more the things the captives would have seen and experienced.

Belili, also known as Abigail, was one of the captives wrested from her life in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon in the company of Daniel and three other princes to whom she became a handmaiden. Despite an amazing encounter, when she later found herself deserted and alone, she allowed fear to dictate her choices and lead her into a life which she wished she could tuck away and hide from. And for decades she was able to do just that. Her fears and shame controlled her and the secrets she couldn't share caused her children to despise her.

The author's portrayal of Daniel was simply amazing! I hesitate to say much, not that I think you don't know his story, but because I don't want to give away the things you wouldn't know about this story. The way she made him both more human and more admirable was nothing short of masterful. And quite encouraging.

I imagine one of the hardest things about writing historical fiction is potentially taking people's preconceived ideas and tossing them out the window. There were a few things, especially at the beginning when Abigail is escaping from the palace at her Ima's command, that made me think "but that's not possible!" "If she had done that. . ." And yet I could also think of why it could be possible after I stopped to consider. Because of what David. . . And what the Babylonian soldiers did. . .

Early on, I determined to read without judging too quickly and to see where the author was going with this. I know that she has studied the events and the history surrounding this period much more than I ever have. I'm not saying I threw out everything I know. I balanced what I read with what I know of Scripture and of God's nature. As long as there was nothing contradicting these two things, I would not stop reading.

And once I made that determination, I found myself getting wrapped up deeper and deeper in this incredible story that had me pondering things I have not pondered before. Potential reactions and motivations. And where was Daniel when his friends refused to bow to the image? Why wasn't he cast into the furnace with them? The author's suggestion was actually quite surprising.

While it was all extremely touching, one of the most impacting passages in this story for me was the depiction of the events during the seven years King Nebuchadnezzar was transformed and of when that time was over, I was nearly brought to tears.

One of the themes I keep seeing in my Bible reading this year, more than any other, is God's longsuffering and the way He forgives again and again and again and again. The story of His faithfulness to His people even as they were in the exile imposed on them for their faithlessness is one that should have all of us humbled and awed - because isn't that our story as well? Of Fire and Lions shows so clearly God's patience with us and His love that is always ready to accept our repentance and forgive.

This story of fiery trials, shame, guilt, treachery, forgiveness, and faith is one that should not be missed!

Of Fire and Lions
A Novel

by Mesu Andrews

WaterBrook & Multnomah

WaterBrook

Christian , Historical Fiction

Pub Date 05 Mar 2019

I am reviewing a copy of Fire and Lions through WaterBrook & Multonomah and Netgalley:

In this historical novel we get to watch the Old Testament book of Daniel come to life.

A Hebrew Girl first tasted survival when she was able to escape death nearly seventy years ago when the Babylonians ransacked Jerusalem and took their finest as captives. She had believed she had perfected in the many years with the Magoi and the idol worshippers. She pretended with all the others in Nebuchadnezzar’s court. Belli feels she is safe now as Daniel’s wife and can now live out her days in Babylon without fear that is until the night Daniel is escorted to Belshazzar’s palace to interpret the mysterious handwriting found on a wall. The Persian Army invades, and Bellili’s tightly-wound secrets unfurl with the arrival of the conquering army.

What will the reign of Darius mean for Daniel, a man who prays to Yahweh alone?

Yahweh’s sovereign hand ultimately guides Jerusalem’s captives, and the frightened Hebrew girl is transformed into a confident woman, who realizes her need of the God who conquers both fire and lions.

I give Of Fire and Lions five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Of Fire and Lions was a great biblical fiction book that took us on an adventure, showing us things about the Bible, Daniel, as well as Israel and Babylon. It gave me a great picture of how it could have actually been, bringing the characters of the Bible to life. I also loved the scripture passages at the beginning of each chapter to explain where in the Bible it took place. If you love biblical fiction, you will definitely enjoy this book.

Another brilliant masterpiece by Mesu! Very few can weave biblical history with fiction the way Mesu does and Of Fire and Lions is a great testimony of this creativity. From the onset, character development was well crafted and drew me into the lives of many biblical heros living during turbulent times. I love the combination of knowing how the story ends while exploring the creative interpretations of how life may have looked like for those willing to forsake all for their faith and allegiance to the one True God. My heart was blessed and challenged as the story of Daniel and Bellili was fully realized.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Of Fire and Lions by Mesu Andrews
Mesu Andrews has undertaken a real challenge—fictionalizing the life of Daniel. She has meticulously researched his life and times, and given him a fictional family. She takes the facts from the Biblical narrative and fleshes out the details, conversations, and people that would have stitched those facts together. After reading this book, I wanted to re-read the book of Daniel. In my mind, that is what excellent Biblical fiction does: drives the reader to scripture.
Her characters, especially Daniel, became real to me. I loved having a peek into his life and culture. Especially fascinating was her account of Nebuchadnezzar becoming a beast due to God’s judgment. In addition, I loved how her characters grew and changed over the course of their lives.
The one thing that was difficult for me to follow was the changing point of view. I had to read carefully to determine which character was narrating the events. However, after a while I got the hang of that.
If you enjoy reading Biblical fiction that will make you hunger more for scripture, then this book is for you. I received a copy from the publisher for this, my honest review.

I remember learning about Daniel’s experiences in the lion’s den and the fiery furnace when I was a young child in Sunday school. I can still see the large felt-board showcasing the biblical characters and flames in my mind. I have always been fascinated by Daniel’s extraordinary faith.

Of Fire and Lions is a fictional account of this biblical figure, expounding on his life by giving him a fictional wife. This is biblical fiction; therefore appropriate to add to Daniel’s story without eliminating the biblical message. I love it when an author brings a Bible story to life and paints a new visual in my head to last a long time. Just like the felt-board stories when I was young.

The various time periods and dual POVs is a little confusing in the beginning, but it doesn’t take long for the flow to become established, allowing me to sink into the story. The character list in the front of the book is helpful.

The extensive research is apparent, and Ms. Andrews really drives the message(s) home with beautiful prose. I’ve loved every book I’ve read by this author, and will continue to seek out her work.

Author: Mesu Andrews
Publisher: Waterbrook
Pages: 400
Opening Line: I’d never seen a sesame seed grow until I came to Babylon almost seventy years ago.
I received a review copy of this book as a #PRHpartner with #WaterbrookMultnomah and NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

If you grew up in Sunday school like I did I’m sure you’ve heard the story of Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace and their best friend Daniel in the lion’s den during their exile in Babylon. But, have you truly experienced the story in a way that makes it unforgettable? That is what Of Fire and Lions does. I’ve read Daniel, studied it, even Bible quizzed on it as a kid, but Mesu Andrews with the use of an exiled Hebrew girl, Abigail/Belili makes the experience of Daniel all encompassing. In fact it is so incredibly rich and detailed with exquisite research it begs to be savored rather than devoured.

The theme of faith, commitment, and trust run through this novel from beginning to end. Living in America we’re not going to see someone tossed in a fiery furnace or fed to the lions for a crime but as I read through this story I hoped I would’ve behaved like Meshach, Shadrach, Abednego and Daniel and willingly gone into the furnace and lion’s den trusting that God would take care of me instead of the fear that would surround me.
This book is not to be missed!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via the publisher in association with Mesu Andrews street team. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.